“[P]eople don’t realize that Senator Menendez is like a rock star in Hudson County,” Vainieri stated in September, simply after Menendez’s preliminary indictment.
It’s the primary endorsement of Murphy by any county group, packing each a symbolic and sensible punch. Not solely does it present Democats in Menendez’s dwelling base are prepared to maneuver on, but it surely means Murphy will get the coveted “county line” in the densely populated and closely Democratic county simply throughout the Hudson River from New York City.
Hudson Democrats in an announcement praised Murphy for “her strong record of advocating for progressive policy initiatives” and didn’t point out Menendez.
Background: Menendez grew up in Union City, in northern Hudson County, and has lived there for a lot of his life, although he’s most not too long ago resided close by in Englewood Cliffs in Bergen County. Menendez constructed his political profession in Hudson, first being elected to Union City’s college board in the Seventies earlier than representing the county in the state Legislature, U.S. House and Senate.
Menendez was a Hudson County power dealer till his indictment. His son, Rob Menendez, took over his outdated House seat in 2022 following the retirement of Albio Sires with the acquiescence of native Democrats.
Menendez has not stated whether or not he’s operating for reelection, however has in current weeks made defiant statements, together with one Wednesday morning to greet Tammy Murphy’s marketing campaign launch.
Mayors from all however certainly one of Hudson County’s municipalities joined in the assertion backing Tammy Murphy.
What’s subsequent? Should Menendez select to run for reelection, his son might have to decide on between operating for reelection on a ticket aligned together with his father or one against it. The solely Hudson County mayor absent from the endorsement assertion was Hoboken’s Ravi Bhalla, who has been contemplating a major challenger to the youthful Menendez.
A Stockton ballot late final month discovered that 71 p.c of New Jersey residents have an unfavorable view of the senator.
